That very afternoon, on the Santa Rosa road, whom should she pass but our brother Ben.  They recognized each other, but were too astonished to speak.  Grandma ordered her driver to whip up, saying that she had just seen the red-whiskered imp of darkness who had troubled her sleep, and she must get to town as fast as possible.

She stopped first at the butcher shop.  Before grandpa could express surprise at her unexpected return, she showered him with questions in regard to happenings at home, and being informed, took him to task for having permitted us to visit our people at the hotel.  He innocently remarked that he knew of no reason why we should not see our relatives; that Georgia was spending the day with them; and that we both had his permission to go again in the evening.  In conclusion he said that I had been a faithful, hard working little housekeeper, and she would find everything in order at home.

Grandma arrived at home before sunset, too excited to be interested in dairy matters.  She told me all about her trip, even to the name she had called my brother-in-law, adding that she knew he was “not red-whiskered, but he was next door to it.”  Later, when he came, she did not receive him pleasantly, nor would she let us go to Elitha.  Brusquely, she demanded to know if I had written to him to come for us, and would not believe him when he assured her that neither he nor our sisters had received letter or message from us in months.

After his departure, I could see that she was no longer angry, and I dreaded the ensuing day, which was destined to be my last on that farm.

It came with a rosy dawn, and I was up to meet it, and to say good-bye to the many dumb creatures that I had cared for.  The tension I was under lent me strength to work faster than usual.  When the breakfast call sounded, I had finished in the corrals, and was busy in the hen houses, having taken care to keep out of grandpa’s sight; for I knew how he would miss me, and I did not want to say the parting words.  After he and the men were gone, grandma came, and watched me finish my task, then said kindly,

“Come, Eliza, and eat thy breakfast.”

I looked up and replied,

“Grandma, I ate my last meal in thy house last night.  Dost thou not remember, I told thee that I would take care of everything until thy return, and then would not be a burden to thee longer?  I have kept my word, and am going away this morning.”

“Thou are mine, and canst not go; but if thou wilt not eat, come and help me with the dishes,” she replied nervously.

I had planned to slip off and change my dress before meeting her, but now, after a breath of hesitation, I went to dry the dishes, hoping that our talk would soon be over.  I knew it would be hard for both of us, for dear, childish grandma was ready to forgive and forget what she termed our little troubles.  I, however, smarting under the wrong and injustice that had been done me, felt she had nothing to forgive, and that matters between us had reached the breaking-point.